Turkish Baths and Health Spa

Dating back to the Victorian era, the spa has been lovingly refurbished and restored with the stunning tiled interiors matched by the imposing exterior. Opened in 1897, the spa was one of the main tourist destinations in Harrogate, welcoming thousands of visitors from across Europe every summer, and it’s one of only seven spas from the Victorian period that remain intact. While the focus might be on the treatments, it’s well worth having a good look around and taking in their impressive arches, glazed brickwork, arabesque ceilings and Italian terrazzo floors.

Aimed at purifying the body and mind, the process takes you through a range of experiences. From the plunge pool to the frigidarium (the coldest room) through to the laconium (the hottest room available), each step aims to clear your body of toxins and remove stresses. Thankfully, some of the original treatments are no longer featured, including the worrying sounding plombière douche and galvanism process.

If you’re looking for alternative therapy treatments, they offer everything from 25-minute Indian head massages to hour-long hot stone therapy and even the mysterious art of Reiki: an ancient Japanese healing therapy that aims to help relieve stress and aid relaxation.

If you prefer the more hands-on approach, they have a range of massages, including a choice of sweet almond or grapeseed oil. A quick back, neck and shoulder massage takes 25 minutes, while a full-body workover takes up to an hour.

Alternatively, you can opt for one of their packages including the signature Turkish Baths experience, which takes in a full-body spa, facial, lunch and a long session in the Turkish baths, saunas, hot rooms and plunge pool. The more inquisitive can also opt for a 45-minute guided tour, which explains the heritage and history of the 120-year-old spa, taking in the decor, treatments and how the baths were recently renovated to bring them back to their Victorian splendour.